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A legacy of leadership

Rowley pays tribute:

Story Created:
Apr 9, 2014 at 11:16 PM ECT

Story Updated:
Apr 10, 2014 at 10:35 AM ECT

Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley said yesterday former prime minister and president Arthur NR Robinson had left a legacy of leadership.In a statement Rowley said, “Our nation started its day with the sad news of the passing of one of our most distinguished citizens. Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson served us with distinction as Trinidad and Tobago’s third Prime Minister and subsequently President.“Mr Robinson has left a legacy of leadership which has come to immortalise the words “Attack with full force”. Even in the midst of what has become known as one of the darkest periods in our nation’s history, he was resolute in his role as leader.” Rowley added, “Mr Robinson’s love for Trinidad and Tobago was aptly demonstrated through service to this twin island state and a special dedication to Tobago. On behalf of the People’s National Movement, in which Mr Robinson served as deputy political leader, I acknowledge his distinguished contribution to this country’s development and join the rest of the nation in mourning his loss. The country has indeed lost one of its finest citizens and thus, we are poorer for it, but so much richer for having him as one of us.”In addition, a statement from the PNM said the party mourned the passing of Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson, SC, OCC, TC, as one of this country’s truly international statesmen whose commitment to Trinidad and most certainly Tobago, was unmatched by anyone in his lifetime.“Despite the exigencies of adversarial politics, Mr Robinson has always been treasured for the immense contribution he made to the PNM in his formative years and, even more importantly, to Trinidad and Tobago, in guiding the nation though the difficult period that followed the economic downturn of 1986 during the stewardship of the National Alliance for Reconstruction administration. We also owe him a debt of gratitude for the display of exemplary leadership during the 1990 attempted coup that helped preserve our democracy. “It is for these reasons that under a PNM Cabinet, special arrangements were approved to cater to the demands of Mr. Robinson’s health needs and, the PNM-controlled Tobago House of Assembly approved a proposal to have the island’s international airport renamed in this honour, “the statement said.